Contradictions of Character - What Is Their Place in Fiction?

[Light Ice]

Do you ever find yourself, intentionally or unintentionally, taking a character that you've created and writing him/her in a manner that directly contradicts their nature or direction?

What are the reasons you do this (again, either intentionally or unintentionally)?

What are the consequences (good or bad)?

And do you think that it can be a constructive act?

 

[Veroe]

I think the contradictions within a character make him/her complex and compelling...however, I think you are asking about whether we would ever go counter to the stated parameters we've made for the character when we first thought him/her up. In that case: its something I fear doing, but as the RP progresses and the plot proceeds outside of my absolute control like when I'm writing a novel or short-story where I steer the plot and character development I can't control it as tightly in a RP where I'm sharing control.

Also The other writer's impressions of the character may make me pull back on the character's personality if she does not find him/her tolerable.

Character drift is inevitable under those circumstances. The best we can do is modulate within a consistent range for the character.